Public Green Category: Electronics

Now’s the time to start thinking about getting your house in order for the holidays.

Do you have a bunch of electronics and small household appliances that are no longer working or are out-of-date? The SWANCC (Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County) Glenview Transfer Station at 1151 N River Road, Des Plaines (across from Maryville Academy) will accept many items for recycling, including all computer-related devices and small household appliances (see here for a detailed list and more information). Any resident from a SWANCC member community can drop off items every Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Have a bunch of nonworking holiday lights or are switching to LEDs? Mount Prospect Public Works (1700 W. Central) will begin accepting holiday lights for recycling starting November 2 through February 29, 2016. Lights will be accepted 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Do you have old paint cans, household cleaners/chemicals and old garden pesticides to get rid of? The Illinois EPA has collection sites for these hazardous household waste items. Note: latex paint is not a hazardous material and can be discarded in your regular trash. Just make sure the paint is hardened by leaving the lid off, or to speed up the process you can add cat litter or saw dust.

Cleaning out your closet and dressers and kitchen cabinets? Many organizations take clothing and household donations on a regular basis. SWANCC has a list in the local area for drop-off or pick up.

Sorting through your books? Most public libraries, including the Mount Prospect Public Library, will accept book donations throughout the year. It’s best to call ahead and make sure donations are being accepted on a given day before you haul them out of your home.

EcoATM’s are automated electronic recycling stations. You can sell your old/unwanted electronic devices (phones, mp-3 players, tablets) by placing them in ecoATM kiosks, and if you accept the dollar amount, you will get paid instantly. The closest ecoATM’s to Mount Prospect are in Woodfield and Golf Mill Malls. For more information and to find other specific locations: www.ecoatm.com.

Do you have old electronics around your house that you don’t know what to do with? You can drop them off for recycling at the Friendship Park Conservatory on Friday, April 11, or Saturday, April 12. Drop off times for both days are from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. For more information, call 847-298-3500 or check out this detailed list of what is and is not accepted.

The Mount Prospect Public Works Department will accept electronics for recycling every Wednesday between 10 a.m. and noon through the end of October 2013. Accepted items include computers, monitors, DVD players, keyboards, printers, scanners, televisions, VHS players, and zip drives. Unacceptable materials include air conditioners, answering machines, blenders, camcorders, video games, copy machines, digital cameras, home appliances, microwaves, power tools/cords, shredders, stereo equipment and toasters. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 847-870-5640 or email them at publicworksdept@mountprospect.org.

The Public Works Department (1700 W. Central Rd.) also accepts household batteries, compact fluorescent and fluorescent tube lights, and pharmaceuticals for recycling and/or proper disposal. Those materials can be dropped off at the Public Works Building between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Starting April 3, the Mount Prospect Public Works Department will again accept residentially generated electronic waste for recycling every Wednesday between 10 a.m. and Noon. The service will run until October. Accepted items include computers, monitors, DVD players, keyboards, printers, scanners, televisions, VHS players, and zip drives. Unacceptable materials include air conditioners, answering machines, blenders, camcorders, video games, copy machines, digital cameras, home appliances, microwaves, power tools/cords, shredders, stereo equipment and toasters. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 847-870-5640 or email them at publicworksdept@mountprospect.org.

The Public Works Department (1700 W. Central Rd.) also accepts household batteries, compact fluorescent and fluorescent tube lights, and pharmaceuticals for recycling and/or proper disposal. Those materials can be dropped off at the Public Works Building between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Did you know it’s against the law to throw your electronics in the trash? Here’s an easy and environmentally friendly way to recycle your electronic devices. The Mount Prospect Park District will hold an E-Cycling Event on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, at the Friendship Park Conservatory (395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines) from 9 a.m. to Noon each day. White appliances (refrigerators, ovens, water heaters, etc.) and monitors with broken glass will NOT be accepted. For more information, call 847-298-3500.

On Friday, November 2 and Saturday November 3, Friendship Park Conservatory (395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines) will be hosting an electronic recycling event from 9a.m. to noon both days. Cell phones, digital cameras, fax machines, tv’s, video game units etc. will be accepted at no charge. For a complete list of acceptable items, please visit the Mount Prospect Park District website. For more info call 847-298-3500.

Dispose of old laptops, computer monitors and other small electronics on Saturday (June 23) 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Goodwill Store & Donation Center, Surrey Ridge Shopping Center (900 W. Algonquin Rd., AH). You can also drop off electronics for recycling at the Mount Prospect Public Works facility (Central and Busse roads) on any Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to Noon.

On Friday, April 20 and Saturday April 21 Friendship Park Conservatory (395 Algonquin Road, Des Plaines) will be hosting an electronic recycling event from 9a.m. to noon both days. Cell phones, digital cameras, fax machings, tv’s, video game units etc. will be accepted at no charge. For a complete list of acceptable items, please visit www.mppd.org. For more info call 847-298-3500.